Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope Review: Where It All Began
9/10 — Star Wars: Episode IV - A New Hope (1977)
Pros
- Iconic characters and score
- Effects that still impress
- Pure adventure fun
Cons
- Wooden dialogue in places
- Later tinkering with the original
Farm boy Luke Skywalker joins smuggler Han Solo, Princess Leia and the old Jedi Obi-Wan Kenobi to rescue Leia and strike at the Empire’s Death Star. The film changed blockbuster cinema forever.
What works
Lucas blended samurai films, Westerns and serials into a fresh myth, and the effects, practical and miniature, still hold up remarkably well. The cast has instant chemistry, John Williams’s score is among the best ever written, and the trench run is a model of building tension.
Where it falters
Some dialogue is stilted, and the plot is simpler than its sequels. Special edition tinkering has spoiled some scenes.
Verdict
A pure, joyous adventure that deserves its legendary status.
